The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-09-15

garish way, devoid OF al good taste and ex-
hibiting no originality Of conception, have
lost all attractions for the dwellers of cities.
ST. Louis has developed something new aud
beautiful, however, ont Of the one germ of an
idea the old trades professions contained. 1t is
al allegorical parade representative of the lead
ing business interests great wagons built with
broad platforms carrying moving panorama
OF commerce. Thse floats, as they are called.
are constructed at large expense, some costing
thousands of dollars, and the number admitted
70 each parade is vigorously limited. Each
noat must come up to fixed standard Of merit
established by committee appointed to inspect
the designs in advance. The parade takes place
at night a number Of illuminating torches
throwing brilliant light upon the floats, so as
to make every detail of their beauty clearly
discernible to the admiring thousands who
throng the streets through which the procession
passes.
The GRAND ARMY FLOATS.
This year the Trades Display Association,
under whose auspices this parade is made, have
added six floats representative of war scenes,
in especial honor of the GAR. guests. The
procession will contain in all 80 allcgorical
pictures on as many separate floats, and these
will be divided into 10 separate divisions, so
that there will be two for the GAR. floats
exclusively. These six floats will present the
sailor:
The first float will present "The Soldiers
Farewell" The scene is the quiet, peaceful
home of the patriot soldier. which he left at
his country's call for the dreadful field of blood
The float shows also the recruiting officer, with
fife and drum, and in the distance a battle
scene, as it is dimly pictured in the weeping
eyes OF the wife who bids the new recruit sad
farewell.
The second float br;pgr fba stor,, IN thu fald
OF active hostilities. 1t is entitled "In the
Trenches" and is arranged to represent one of
tho familiar scenes of a soldier on active duty.
This is a picture of vivid realism and full of
interest, the trenches being manned by 4 num-
Der of soldiers.
The third float is entitled ain Camp" 1t
represents the army in preparation for possible
contingencies, but the men making the best of
the relative comfort and ease of the camp, en-
gagged in avocatiOns and amusements which
will recall many well-rcmembcred incidents
OF tho old days, now nearly quarter of cen
tury gone.
The fourth float is entitled "The Return of
Foraging Party" This panoramic picture
depicts one OF the pleasanter sides of soldiers
life, representing n detail of soldiers coming
back TO camp, after securing tho surrounding
country for food and fodder. IL has its ludi-
crous side, which will open pleasant memories
in the spectators who have "been there them
Selves
The sixth float is a representation of Sloop-
of-War." lt Is in honor of the Navy, and will
be a model Of Admiral Farragut's flagship, the
Hartford with hull 35 feet in length and
mainmast % feet high. The vessel will be
fully equipped with sailors and marines en-
gagged in the performance of their duties and
occasional bToadsdes will be fired from the
guns of this gala man-ofwar.